Top 5 fall events (in St. Augustine & St. Johns County)

CORN MAZE & MORE — The third annual corn maze will open on Sept. 29 at Sykes and Cooper Farm in Elkton. "Spookley the Square Pumpkin" will be featured in a kiddie maze, and a larger 9-acre maze will be for all ages. A pumpkin patch, farm animals, games, activities, fresh produce, and fall-themed foods also will be featured. Hours are 5 to 10 p.m. Fridays; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturdays; and 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays from Sept. 29 through Oct. 28. General admission is $8, with children 2 and younger admitted free. Special dates will featured reduced admission for military, police, firefighters, and EMT, as well as discounts to those who bring non-perishable food during a food drive. For more information, go to http://sycofarms.com/.

It's that time of year again — fall festival season. I can almost taste the fair food and feel a chill in the air. Almost.

My favorite thing about the fall events is that each one has something a little different from the other — live music, a pumpkin patch, or specialty food items.

The Sept. 14 Compass magazine will have a huge list of fall festivals and upcoming events. Here's my top 5 so far:

1. FLORIDA HERITAGE BOOK FESTIVAL — Set for Sept. 13-15, this three day event is held at World Golf Village and Flagler College. Authors such as Jeff Lindsay (Dexter), Steve Berry, Sen. Bob Graham, and many others will be giving presentations and signing books. The Sept. 15 event is free and open to the public on the Flagler College campus. Learn more at http://www.fhbookfest.com/.

2. CORN MAZE & MORE — The third annual corn maze will open on Sept. 29 at Sykes and Cooper Farm in Elkton. "Spookley the Square Pumpkin" will be featured in a kiddie maze, and a larger 9-acre maze will be for all ages. A pumpkin patch, farm animals, games, activities, fresh produce, and fall-themed foods also will be featured. Hours are 5 to 10 p.m. Fridays; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturdays; and 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays from Sept. 29 through Oct. 28. General admission is $8, with children 2 and younger admitted free. Special dates will featured reduced admission for military, police, firefighters, and EMT, as well as discounts to those who bring non-perishable food during a food drive. For more information, go to http://sycofarms.com/.

3. SPANISH WINE & FOOD FESTIVAL — This is a new festival that will be hosted for the first time this year — Oct. 3-6. Wine tastings and culinary events will benefit local groups including the Alzheimer's Project of the St. Johns County Council on Aging, the Children's Museum of St. Johns, and the homeless students inthe culintary arts program at First Coast Technical College. The benefit event is hosted by the St. Augustine 450th Commemoration. For details on the various events, go to http://www.staugustinespanishwinefestival.com/.

4. ST. AMBROSE FALL FESTIVAL — This annual event will be from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 7 at St. Ambrose Catholic Church in Elkton. Follow the signs from State Road 207 to the church. The festival will feature a car show, live music, brats, beer, hay rides, games, and the infamous Minorcan chowder, made with datil peppers (which sells out every year). Arts and crafts, self-guided tours of the church built in 1907, and a rummage sale also will be featured. Call 692-1366 or go to www.saintambrose-church.org.

5. GREEK FESTIVAL — This annual festival of Greek flavors and culture will be Oct. 12-14 at Francis Field, next to the parking garage, near downtown St. Augustine. The event will feature live music, Greek dancing, and plethora Greek food specialties. Hours are 4 to 9 p.m. Oct. 12; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Oct. 13; and 12 to 5 p.m. Oct. 15. For details, go to http://www.stauggreekfest.com/.